The Freebie
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKatie Aselton
Written byKatie Aselton
Produced byAdele Romanski
Starring
CinematographyBenjamin Kasulke
Edited byNat Sanders
Music byJulian Wass
Distributed byPhase 4 Films[1]
Release dates
  • January 24, 2010 (2010-01-24) (Sundance)
  • September 17, 2010 (2010-09-17) (United States)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$16,613[2]

The Freebie is a 2010 American independent film directed by Katie Aselton that had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.[3] The plot centers on a married couple who, frustrated by the lack of sex in their relationship, allow each other a one-night stand.[4] The film is largely improvised.

Plot

Darren and Annie have a comfortable relationship built on love, trust and communication, enjoying each other's company and still laughing at each other's jokes. However, their sex life has become dormant. When a dinner party conversation with friends leads to an honest discussion about the state of their love life, they begin to flirt with an idea for a way to spice their marriage up. They each agree to one night of freedom, no strings attached, no questions asked.

Cast

Production

The script had originated as a detailed 6-page outline, with the rest of the dialogue being improvised.[5] For some scenes, Aselton would let the camera roll for as long as 30 minutes, and then would choose which dialogue made it into the final cut.[6] Dax Shepard signed on to play Darren after another actor exited the project.[7]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in the inaugural NEXT section.[8] It was acquired by Phase 4 Films[1] and went on to screen at SXSW.[8] It was given a limited theatrical release on September 17, 2010.[9]

Reception

The Freebie holds a 55% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 5.6/10 from 29 critics.[9] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 54 out of 100, based on eight critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[10]

Todd McCarthy of Variety gave the film a positive review, writing: "From a performance P.O.V., Aselton and Shepard hold the screen well and are most watchable, and Aselton does a fluid directing job within the limited challenge she set for herself production-wise. Benjamin Kasulke’s HD lensing is bright and sharp, while Nat Sanders’ editing is very crisp."[11]

Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote, "This minimalist indie with a title appropriate for a Judd Apatow comedy, is a smart seriocomic playlet with some emotionally harsh moments, although it refrains from plumbing its subject in agonizing depth."[4] The San Francisco Chronicle's Mick LaSalle also gave a positive review, commenting "Aselton gets a lot said in 78 minutes. I think the main thing she says is something never overtly spoken, that life is essentially a lonely experience - even when we're surrounded by activity, and even if we never shut up."[12]

Andrew Schenker of Slant gave the film a negative review and a 1.5/10 rating, writing: "Never are Aselton's failings more evident than in a pair of dinner party scenes, one of which opens the film, and which involve the central couple and their friends in a discussion of the nature of romance."[13]

References

  1. 1 2 Coates, Kristen (February 3, 2010). "[Sundance Review] Aselton Impresses With Low-Budget 'Freebie'". The Film Stage. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  2. ↑ "The Freebie (2010)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Freebie". Festival Genius. Archived from the original on December 14, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  4. 1 2 Holden, Stephen (September 16, 2010). "Loving Couple Wonder Where the Ardor Went". The New York Times.
  5. ↑ "Katie Aselton director, The Freebie". prepshootpost.blogspot.com. December 6, 2009. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  6. ↑ Carter, Lance (January 24, 2011). "Interview: The League's Katie Aselton talks about her directorial debut, The Freebie!". DailyActor.com. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  7. ↑ Rich, Katey (September 16, 2010). "Exclusive Interview: Katie Aselton Moves Up To Directing With The Freebie". CinemaBlend.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  8. 1 2 "A Conversation with Katie Aselton, Ben Kasulke, and Nat Sanders (THE FREEBIE)". Hammer to Nail. September 16, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "The Freebie". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  10. ↑ "The Freebie". Metacritic. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  11. ↑ McCarthy, Todd (February 7, 2010). "Review: 'The Freebie'". Variety. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  12. ↑ LaSalle, Mick (October 29, 2010). "Review: 'The Freebie' says more than you expect". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  13. ↑ Schenker, Andrew (September 12, 2010). "The Freebie". Slant Magazine. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
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